All About LCDs - Liquid Crystal Displays

A LCD is also known as a Liquid Crystal Display.  This is one of the fastest growing electronic component devices.

LCD Types

• TN (Twisted Nematic) - Least expensive LCD, limited display capabilities (90 degree viewing angle).  Passive, Monochrome.  Segment or Character.
• STN (Super Twisted Nematic) - Wider viewing angle.  Passive, Monochrome with gray, blue (negative only) and yellow-gree (least expensive) backgrounds.  Segment, Character or Graphic.
• FSTN (Film Compensated Super Twisted Nematic) - Better contrast.  Passive, Monochrome (black & white, but can have colored background with colored LED backlight).  Segment, Character or Graphic.
• Color STN - Passive, Color, Graphic.
• TFT (Thin Film Transistor) - Active (each pixel stores a charge), Color, Graphic.  Better colors and contract - highest cost.  Larger size must have a CCFL backlight.  Standard only - custom TFT is unlikely due to very high tooling costs.  Controller boards and touch screens are also available.

LCD Display Mode

• Segment - Most basic.  "Segments" that make up a digit or letter.
• Character - Alpha-numeric, Icons.  Measured by characters per rows (ie. 16x2, 20x4)
• Graphic - Alpha-numeric, Icons, Complex pictures.  Dot matrix - measured by pixels per row by pixels per column (ie. 128x64; 320x240=QVGA, 640x480=VGA)

IC Mounting/Bonding Techniques

• COG (chip on Glass) -Chip bonded directly onto LCD glass.  Lease expensive, slimmer.
• TAB (Tape automated bonding) - Chip bonded onto connecting tape.  Slimmer.
• COB (Chip on board) - Chip on PCB (under protective epoxy bubble).  PCB connected to LCD via rubber/pin/heat seal tape connectors.  Less expensive than SMT.
• SMT (Surface mount technology) - Chip on PCB (IC visible).  PCB connected to LCD via rubber/pin connectors.  Old technology - no longer popular.  Still used for larger sizes.

Display Mode

• Positive - Dark Letters/characters/images; light background.
• Negative - Light letters/characters/images; dark background.

Optic Mode

• Reflective - 100% of ambient light reflective reflected (no backlight needed).
• Transflective - 50% of light reflected; 50% passes through (uses ambient light or backlight).
• Transmissive - 100% of light passes through (backlight always needed).

Backlight

• LED (Light emitting diode) - Long life - 50,000 hours.  Yellow-green most popular and least expensive.  White is more expensive but brightest (most popular for character/graphic).  Other colors include blue, green, and amber.
• EL (Electro Luminescent) - Low power consumption; thin.
• CCFL (Cold cathode fluorescent lamp) - High brightness but bulkier.  TFT's greater than or equal to 4" in size must use CCFL.
• Bottom vs. Edge
• Bottom - Light directly under LCD
• Edge - Light on side; spread via light guide

Viewing Directions

• 12:00 - Best view comes from above LCD (most popular)
• 3:00 - Best view comes from the right
• 6:00 - Best view comes from below LCD (most popular)
• 9:00 - Best view comes from the left

The above guide is to help you plan the best LCD for your application and for better understanding of LCDs.  Competitive Components is a distributor of Beyondtek LCDs.  Beyondtek and CCI team-up to supply your LCD needs.

Packaging of Electronic Components

Electronic components can be packaged into many types of carriers for transportation.  The most common types of packaging include bulk, tape and reel, ammo pack, tube, tray, pallet, and sample box.  The packaging will insure safe passage from the manufacturer through distribution and onto the assembly house or end user.

Bulk packaging is typically a bag of loose piece parts.  For example, if you place an order for 1,000 OSTOP110000 On-Shore Technology connectors, you may receive 10 bags of 100 bulk bags of connectors.  Each bag contains 100 loose pieces of the OSTOP110000 On-Shore Technology connector.  The connectors are manually pulled from the bag and soldered onto a PC board.  Please see below picture for your reference.
 

Tape and reel is typically a continuous tape strip of a part that is attached to a reel.  The reel can then be placed on a pick machine to electronically place the parts onto a PC board.  The tape holds each part into its own individual holder and then is covered with a clear tape to hold into place.  When being quoted cut tape, the seller cuts a strip off of the reel and sells you just the cut strip of parts.  When being quoted partial reel, the seller cuts a strip from the reel and sells you the remaining parts attached to the original reel.  Please see below picture for your reference.
 

Ammo pack is similar to cut tape.  The ammo pack is a continuous strip of cut tape to a predetermined quantity.  However, the cut strip is then placed into its own manufacturer box for safe keeping.  Please see below picture for your reference.

Parts that can be damaged in bulk packaging can be placed in a tube for safe transporting.  Tubes are made of plastic and typically contain 50-100 pieces per tube.  Each end of the tube contains a stopper to hold the parts inside the tube.  Please see below picture for your reference.

Just like the tube, parts can also be placed into plastic trays for safe keeping.  The trays keep the parts from touching one another and from damage. Please see below picture for your reference.

When a sample is needed in small quantity of a small delicate part, the samples can be placed into a sample box for safe transporting.  Please see below picture for your reference.

Finally, when a large quantity of parts are ordered in bulk, the parts can be packaged onto a pallet.  The pallet is then wrapped for safe transportation.  The pallets are typically shipped via freight carrier like Fedex Freight or trucking company.  Please see below picture for your reference.

As a final note, many electronic components are static sensitive.  Care must be used in handling these parts.  Be sure to be grounded when handling any of these parts.  Also, be sure that the parts are properly packaged into static sensitive shipping products.

Importing and Exporting Electronic Components

When shipping electronic components into and out of the USA, there are several items to consider.  If your product weighs less than 50 lbs, we would recommend the easiest points of transportation being UPS, Fedex and DHL.  If the shipment weighs more than 50 lbs, we would recommend shipping via cargo freight.  Cargo freight can be shipped via ocean, approximately 4-5 weeks to receive product, and cargo air, approximately 1 week to receive product.  Once the air and ocean shipments reach land, you still need to arrange for the shipment to be transported from the dock or airport to your location.  For ocean shipments, we would recommend transport through a trucking company.

If you are not familiar with cargo shipping, you may consider shipping through a freight forwarder.  A freight forwarder is a firm specializing in arranging storage and shipping of merchandise on behalf of its shippers. It usually provides a full range of services including: tracking inland transportation, preparation of shipping and export documents, warehousing, booking cargo space, negotiating freight charges, freight consolidation, cargo insurance, and filing of insurance claims. Freight forwarders usually ship under their own bills of lading or air waybills (called house bill of lading or house air waybill) and their agents or associates at the destination (overseas freight forwarders) provide document delivery, deconsolidation, and freight collection services.

All electronic component orders being imported and exported from the USA, must have the HS Tariff Code and the Country of Origin documentation.  The country of origin is the location of the "creation" of the parts.  The HS Tariff Code is the government’s commodity classification.  When shipping Fedex and UPS, they also require a part description on each item shipped. 

When arranging a shipment via trucking company and cargo ocean, a common document to be completed is a BOL.  BOL is the Bill of Lading.  The BOL states the ship from and ship to locations, shipping units, package type, description, item number, class and total weight.  When tracking BOL, you are able to do so with a PRO number.  You will need to consider if you will need a lift gate at your location as this will be an extra charge.  You will also need the CI (commercial invoice) and packing list when arranging shipments.  These documents state the shipment value and shipping measurements and weights.  Dependent upon shipment value, you may want to insure the shipment.

Three common international shipping methods are as follows:

Best Available Flight:

• UPS Express Critical
• Fedex International Next Flight

1-3 Business Days

• UPS Worldwide Express
• Fedex International Priority

2-5 Business Days

• UPS Worldwide Expedited
• Fedex International Economy

Competitive Components is a Las Vegas Distributor of Sceptre Power Supplies

Competitive Components Inc. is a franchise distributor of Sceptre power supplies.  Sceptre Power started in 1979 and now has more than 30 years in the power supply industry.  All manufacturing is done in Taiwan, Hong Kong and China.  Sceptre has a vast power product offering including:

• Switching Power Adaptors (wall mount)
• Switching Power Adaptors (desktop)
• Open-frame power supplies
• Notebook adaptors
• Medical Power Supplies
• Linear/Unregulated Power Supplies
• LED Drivers
• Industrial Power Supplies (Metal Case and Din Rail)
• DC/AC Inverters
• Battery Chargers

Standard Switching Power Adaptors (Wall Mount) include the following:

• 8W-40W, 5VDC-24VDC Wallplug External Switching Power Supply, AC Interchangeable PXT/PXX Series
• 8W-13W, 4VDC-18VDC PS AC Fixed Prong Wallplug Power Supply
• 13W-24W, 5VDC-12VDC Wallplug External Switching Power Supply, PS Series

Standard Switching Power Adaptors (Desktop) include the following:

• 150W, 12VDC-48VDC Power Block Switching Power Supply, PB/PBD Series
• External Switching Power Supply, PSD/PS2D Series
• 15W-60W, 3.3VDC-24VDC Desktop External Switching Power Supply, PS Series
• 15W-53W, -5VDC-24VDC Multi Output Desktop External Switching Power Supply, PS Series
• 72W-80W, 12VDC-24VDC Desktop Switching Power Supply, PS Series
• 200W, 12VDC-48VDC Desktop Switching Power Supply, PS Series
• 120-150W, 12VDC-24VDC Desktop Switching Power Supply, PS Series

Standard Open-Frame Power Supplies include the following:

• 100W-800W, 3.3VDC-48VDC Open Frame U-Channel Switching Power Supply, OFU Series
• 27W-65W, 3.3VDC-48VDC Open Frame Switching Power Supply, OFC Series

Standard Notebook Adaptors include the following:

• 40W-130W, 7.5VDC-24VDC Universal Notebook Adaptor

 Standard Medical Power Supplies include the following:

• 9W-24W Interchangeable Wallplug PXM Medical Series
• 6W Horizontal Wallplug PSM Medical Series
• 30W-50W Triple Output Desktop PSM Medical Series
• 45W-60W & 100W-120W Desktop PSM Medical Series
• 40W-60W, 5VDC-48VDC 2”X4” Open Frame Internal Medical Power Supply, OFM Series
• W-250W, 3.3VDC-48VDC U-Chassis, Internal Medical Power Supply, OFUM Series

Standard Linear/Unregulated Power Supplies include the following:

• 2W-11W, 6VDC-24VDC AC To AC Wallplug, PA Series
• 2W-10W, 3VDC-24VDC AC To DC Unregulated Wallplug, PD Series

Standard Led Drivers include the following:

• 8W-150W, 3VDC-33VDC LED Drivers

Standard Industrial Power Supplies (Metal Case and Din Rail) include the following:

• 20W-1000W, 3.3VDC-48VDC Industrial Switching Power Supplies

Standard DC/AC Inverters include the following:

• 300W-1000W, 100VAC-240VAC DC-AC Inverter

Standard Battery Chargers include the following:

• CHA100MA NiMH/NiCD Smart Battery Charger Wall-plug-in
• CHA100MD NiMH/NiCD Smart Battery Charger
• Sealed Lead Acid Smart Battery Charger
• CHA100MDX NiMH/NiCD Smart Battery Charger
• Li-Ion Battery Charger

Sceptre Power and Competitive Components are commitment to offering reliable, high-quality and competitively-priced standard power supplies.  In addition, if you need a design specific power source, CCI can offer custom power supply design services to create the best Sceptre match for your application.

Purchasing Payment Terms

Companies selling electronic components offer many types of payment options.  New customers can be offered COD or credit card.  As relationships are built, payment plans can be established so that payments can be made on a predetermined time frame after receipt of the invoice.  If buyers have time to wait for their orders to ship, terms may be able to be established once bank and trade references are verified.  This can take several days to complete depending on references' response time.

COD = Cash On Delivery

COD CHARGE: FEDEX $10, UPS $10.50

COD TIME FRAME: FEDEX=Air shipments returned next day, UPS = All shipments returned via mail

T/T = Telegraph Transfer (Wire transfer from bank to bank)

T/T INTERNATIONAL COST = (Standard cost $35)

T/T DOMESTIC COST = (Standard cost $25)

T/T ACH (Automated Clearing House) Domestic only bank to bank.

• 1% 10, NET 30 (If paid in 10 days get 1% off bill, if not paid in 10 days, must be paid in 30 days)
• 1.5% 20, NET 30  (If paid in 20 days get 1.5% off bill, if not paid in 20 days, must be paid in 30 days)
• ½ COD, NET 30 (1/2 of bill paid COD, balance to be paid in 30 days)
• ½ PREPAY, ½ NET 30 (1/2 of bill paid before shipping, balance to be paid in 30 days)
• 2% 10, NET 30 (If paid in 10 days get 2% off bill, if not paid in 10 days, must be paid in 30 days)
• 2% 15, NET 30 (If paid in 15 days get 2% off bill, if not paid in 15 days, must be paid in 30 days)
• 2% 20, NET 30 (If paid in 20 days get 2% off bill, if not paid in 20 days, must be paid in 30 days)
• 3% 10, NET 30 (If paid in 10 days get 3% off bill, if not paid in 10 days, must be paid in 30 days)
• AMEX Credit Card
• COD-CERTIFIED FUNDS (Go to the bank and get certified check to pay upon delivery)
• COD-COMPANY CHECK (Paid on delivery with company check)
• ESCROW (3rd party manages payment transfer)
• NET 1 (Pay within 1 day of receipt)
• NET 5 (Pay within 5 day of receipt)
• NET 15 (Pay within 15 day of receipt)
• NET 20 (Pay within 20 day of receipt)
• NET 30 (Pay within 30 day of receipt)
• NET 45 (Pay within 45 day of receipt)
• NET 60 (Pay within 60 day of receipt)
• PAYPAL
• PREPAY (Pay before parts are shipped)
• PREPAY CERTIFIED  (Pay before parts are shipped with a certified check)
• SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT (Examples: Pay at time of order, hand deliver samples, etc)
• T/T IN ADVANCE (Pay at time of order placement  via wire transfer)
• T/T UPON RECEIPT (Pay via wire transfer when parts are received - Net 1)
• VISA/MASTERCARD Credit Card

Buyers can use the above guide as to consider all options when placing orders from their electronic components supplier.

Happy Birthday Competitive Components Inc.

Competitive Components Inc. (CCI), a Las Vegas electronic components distributor, celebrated its 21^st birthday by investing in itself.  What do you do when you turn 21?  You celebrate in Las Vegas!  CCI celebrated by investing in the future of its customers and employees with upgrades to its office, hardware and software. 


CCI put forth a long-term investment in its company and employees over the past few months.  The CCI company server has been upgraded to improve company-wide performance and protection.  Every employee has a brand new computer system with Windows 7, 4G for lighting speed, wide-screen monitor, and latest versions of all software.  In addition, each employee can release stress with a new massage computer chair. 


Over the Christmas holiday, CCI remodeled the office with such features as new carpet, new furniture, enhanced community break room with HDTV, and an upscale paint scheme and decor throughout the entire office.  With Las Vegas having one of the highest unemployment rates in the U.S., CCI is proud to take the extra step to keep valued employees and focus on making long-term customers.  As a result, CCI’s customers’ expectations are being exceeded with software upgrades and by enthusiastic employees.